Exit Realty Professionals Blog Virginia Beach Real Estate

We would like to give a warm welcome to one of our new agents, Mike Lynch! The military brought Mike and his family to the Hampton Roads area 14 years ago and he is excited to help other families make their own transitions.

"The buying and selling of a home can be a very exciting, challenging, stressful, and rewarding process. As your real estate professional providing the highest level of personal service with integrity and commitment is my number one goal."

When asked what brought Mike to EXIT Realty Professionals he said, "I chose EXIT because I was looking for a company that I could grow with. I also wanted to be part of a close knit team."

Ryan comes to us from the Virginia Department of Transportation where he handled their LCAMS computer system. For the past couple of years Ryan has been studying the investing side of residential real estate.

"In the process I decided having my license would benefit me in the long run. Then, I realized I really wanted to work with buyers and sellers."

Ryan believes that professional real estate service begins with personalization – with one realtor who listens, tailors their service to your wants and needs, and not only communicates well, but is available to answer your questions and concerns both day and night.

Why did Ryan choose to be a part of EXIT Realty Professionals??

"I called Andy Hubba to ask his advice about where to hang my license. I told him the limitations I was under and what I was looking to achieve. He was honest and said some places welcome what you are trying to do and others don't. Andy told me that everything I'm looking for is what Exit Realty Professionals looks for. So I met with Tom Hubba and Andy Hubba, got specific and dug in to the details. I liked everything they had to say and jumped on board. I can say that everyone here has been so amazing, helpful and informative. If I don't know something people have taken time to teach me."

Homes for sale in Virginia Beach that are environmentally-friendly and energy efficient are more desirable to homebuyers. If you need to make improvements before putting your house on the market or you're considering selling in the near future, make eco-friendly choices when you can. It makes a difference in price and how quickly you can find the right buyer.

Tankless Water Heater

Tankless hot water heaters have been on the market for quite some time now. The designs improve every year, helping homeowners save more money than ever. The advantage over the traditional type is that the water doesn't fill up the tank and heat while you run the faucet. It's hot almost instantaneously, eliminating water waste and lowering utility bills.

Generator

If you've lived in Hampton Roads for any length of time, you're familiar with the wintry mixes, heavy thunderstorms, nor'easters, tropical storms and hurricanes that come through the area with some regularity. While power outages are not common, they do happen often enough to make a whole-home generator a hot amenity. Run by propane or natural gas, a generator can power several appliances and even the heating and cooling systems, depending on the type and size you purchase. For those with small children, elderly parents or serious medical conditions, a back-up generator is not just an amenity, it's a must-have. It's also a great selling point.

Energy-Efficient Windows

There are very few substitutes for energy efficiency, especially when it comes to windows. If your home's windows haven't been replaced in the past 10 years, it could hurt you. Aside from the fact that energy-efficient windows lower heating and cooling costs, they also look better. Frames are now made of vinyl or other man-made materials that typically need little maintenance and don't require paint.

Looking to move up to a place you can call home? Well the wait is over. This is what home feels like! This home is your blank canvas in which to paint the next years of your life. From the vaulted ceilings in the family room and master suite to the flowing floor plan that you would expect from a ranch style property. This home boast approx. 2000 square feet of living area not including the 75% finished room over the garage. The kitchen is wide open and has a large center island for extra counter top space and cabinet storage. With energy efficient gas utilities you know that your utility cost will be easy to manage for years to come. The home also has a large yard with a screened in back porch to enjoy the spring days to come. The crossings at western branch is a quite community close to shopping and interstates for a quick and easy drive to everywhere you will need to go. Call today for a private showing to see what a sought after community and home looks like. Make your EXIT today! 757-647-1417

The Crossings at Western Branch is a much sought after Subdivision located in the south section of the Greenbrier area. The homes in The Crossings at Western Branch were built in the 1990's. Currently there are only 2 homes for sale ranging in price from $296,000 to $293,000. There is one pending sale at $265,000. School age students will attend one of 3 schools; Western Branch High School, Western Branch Middle or Western Branch intermediate or primary. The Crossings at Western Branch is only a few minutes drive to parks, shopping, interstates and entertainment. Get ready to fall in love with The Crossings at Western Branch.

Many people find springtime to be the best time of year to put a home on the market. If you're ready join the multitudes of people selling or buying homes in Virginia Beach, Virginia, now is the time to start getting ready. The inventory of homes for sale is starting to swell, and many people are starting to look for the right place to call their own. While you will have more competition in the market, you will also have a greater pool of potential buyers and sellers. Here are the top 6 reasons why.

1. Families – Buying a home takes time. If you're buying or selling a home and you have a family, you'll want everything in place so you can move out of your old place and into the new one well before school starts. Securing financing, doing some house hunting, finalizing a contract and settling in will take a few months.

2. Nice Weather – Now that the rash of snow storms and cold weather is over, the spring weather is beckoning people to get outside. That means more homeowners making upgrades and repairs, and beautifying their landscaping. It's also the best time for potential buyers to visit their favorite neighborhoods for an up-close-and-personal look at the homes for sale in Virginia Beach. The warm temperatures and clear roads are much more comfortable for checking out potential neighborhoods.

3. Market Price – The housing market is on the rebound. According to the February 2014 report at the Center from the Housing Research at Virginia Tech, property sales in Hampton Roads were up by 9.7 percent. The median sales price in 2013 was down by just 1.3 percent from 2012, but Southside Virginia is expected to soon follow suit with the rest of the state. The median price across the state rose by 9 percent.

This Brick Ranch has been very well maintained to include; granite counter tops in the kitchen, Ceramic tile floors, updated bathrooms, newer roof and exterior trim newly wrapped with aluminum for easy cleaning. This home is located on a quite cul-de-sac in the sought after subdivision of Glenwood located just off of battlefield blvd in the Great Bridge area of the city Chesapeake. Just move right in because the landscaping has been done for you. Enjoy the outdoors with the easy to maintain large fenced yard and a huge covered deck just steps away from the pool. Call me today for more features and to set up a private showing. 757-647-1417.

Glenwood is a much sought after Subdivision located off of battlefield blvd south. The homes in Glenwood were built between the 1980's. Currently there are only 2 homes for sale ranging in price from $305,000 to $309,000. 321 Melonie Ct. is the only home sold this year, it sold and closed at $304,900 on February 4th 2014.School age students will attend one of 3 schools; Great Bridge High School, Great Bridge Middle, Great Bridge primary or GreatBridge intermediate. Glenwood is only a few minutes drive to parks, shopping, interstates and entertainment. Get ready to fall in love with Glenwood. Call me today to schedule private showings of homes in Glenwood.

Tom Hubba is the Broker/ Owner of EXIT Realty Professionals. As a full time Realtor and Property Manager, Tom is working hard in the Coastal Virginia area serving Virginia Beach,VA. Chesapeake, VA. and Norfolk, VA. I am here to assist buyers,sellers,and home owners needing to rent there homes. Please call today and lets accomplish our goals together.

Homeowners insurance is often thought of as just one more expense when you're buying a house. In reality, it can offer financial protection for homeowners in Hampton Roads if there's a problem or catastrophe. Homeowners insurance offers a safety net that you hope you never have to use, but sometimes the unthinkable does happen. That's when you rely on your insurance. There are different policies and plans available for a wide range of coverages, so it's important that you understand what's covered and what isn't when you're setting up your policy. You can find different rates and get some great discounts for things that you might not expect. Here are several ways you can make your homeowners insurance rates lower when buying homes for sale in Hampton Roads.

Providers

Not all insurance providers are the same. They come in with different rates for their services, just like any other industry. You can shop around to compare prices. Pay attention to what the different costs cover. Not all providers give the same level of service for claims, but there are some good deals for less, so do some homework before you make a decision.

Rate Discounts

Some homeowners insurance providers give discounts for buyers and homeowners who meet certain requirements. They typically won't volunteer this information, so be sure to ask. You may be eligible for good credit, military service and as a first-time homebuyer. Members of some local and national organizations can also receive special rates. If you are a member of an association, it won't hurt to ask. Bundling is another way to get a reduced rate. If the insurer handles auto or life insurance, you may be able to bundle the package. When getting quotes, ask if there are different rates based on a monthly payment versus an annual payment.

If you have a foreclosure in your past and you're interested in buying a home again, you might wonder what you need to do before you can buy another house. While home ownership can be a rewarding experience, it can also be stressful. Overcoming the disappointment of foreclosure can be challenging both emotionally and financially. The biggest obstacles will be getting your financial ducks in a row and securing financing. Here is a checklist of 5 things you need to do if you have a foreclosure on your record before you can buy a home for sale in Hampton Roads.

1. Satisfy the waiting period.

There is usually a good reason why your previous home went into foreclosure. Perhaps you were laid off from your job, there was an extended illness for one of the breadwinners in the family or another hurdle arose that put a financial strain on the household. It could also be that you simply overspent your resources. Fannie Mae is a federally sponsored enterprise that buys a number of mortgages in the U.S. There is a three-year waiting period required by Fannie Mae and some other significant mortgage lenders after a foreclosure if you have documented, one-time extenuating circumstances. Make sure you have ample documentation in hand before you apply. For cases without extenuating circumstances, the wait time is seven years for Fannie Mae and some others. If you don't want to be in a holding pattern, the alternative is to find a mortgage lender without restrictions. They may require a 20 percent or larger down payment and often have relatively high interest rates to offset the risk.

2. Clean up your credit record.

Credit records that include foreclosures typically have a long laundry list of other delinquencies and defaults associated with them. While these may be accurate, it is always wise to go through and verify that all of these blemishes are true and correct.

Suzanne Swiatkowski comes to us from Re/Max. She graduated from Alpha College of Real Estate and currently resides in Virginia Beach. As a former Military wife, she is well aware of the challenges that military families face when relocating.

"I know the importance of answering calls as quickly as possible and listening intently to determine the needs of my clients. I look forward to assisting all families looking to buy, sell, or rent in the Hampton Roads area."

My name is Gregory Everson and I specialize in property management and assisting buyers and sellers with their investments in Real Estate in Hampton Roads Virginia.

I believe that one of the most important decisions in finding your perfect home or rental property is choosing the right person to guide you there. As a dedicated real estate professional, I am devoted to my clients' individual needs. I pride myself on the attention to details, looking after your best interests and helping you make smart and informed decisions.

Searching for your new house or rental property requires time and patience, so let me assist you along the way. EXIT Realty provides me with more tools and training then I ever believed a company could offer. Using a Realtor with the best technology tools and the ethics to represent you professionally is a win-win for you.

Let me use my expertise and the expertise of Exit Realty Professionals to help you buy your dream home or, sell/rent your current home.

Call or email me today - I look forward to helping you find just what you are looking for!

Having an open house to showcase your home for sale in Hampton Roads is one of the more traditional real estate marketing methods. If you're looking for a boost in exposure, talk to your Realtor about holding one. Here are 10 tips to help you get the most out of holding an open house when your home's for sale.

1. Make sure your home is clean. Do a thorough once-over, from top to bottom and inside to outside. If you're too busy, hire a professional service to do it for you. Remove any clutter and put away any personal items.

2. Boost the marketing of your home for sale in Hampton Roads. Your Realtor can promote your open house on the Internet and add an Open House sign to your For Sale sign. Be sure to tell your neighbors and other people you know about the open house.

3. Take some fresh pictures. If your home has been on the market for a long time, this will be something new for prospective buyers to consider. Make sure they are clear, present a positive image and have good lighting.

4. Leave before it begins. Once everything is set up, let your Hampton Roads real estate agent handle the details and step out until it's over. Having homeowners present can be intimidating for those looking at houses for sale.

5. Be sure that your Realtor can reach you. Be in a place with cell service or email access, just in case someone has a question that your Realtor can't answer. Confirm your cell phone number and email address with your Realtor. Be sure you have it turned on and that the ringer is loud enough to hear it wherever you are.

6. Choose a time that's convenient for you. A two- or three-hour time slot on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon is a popular choice for Hampton Roads homes for sale.